CORN SEEDS STORED UNDER VARYING STORAGE CONDITIONS

ABSTRACT The seed deterioration process during storage is inevitable, but it can be slowed down using packaging that reduces the influence of the external environment on stored corn seeds. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the physiological quality of corn seeds stored in different packages and subjected to storage conditions in the central region of Brazil. Thirty-seven corn genotypes were analyzed in three storage environments: multiwall paper, 10 °C temperature, and 40% relative air humidity; multiwall paper under uncontrolled conditions; and hermetic packaging under uncontrolled conditions. The results of germination, water content, electrical conductivity, accelerated aging, soilless cold test, and field emergence test were used. Physiological quality assessments indicated that storage under conditions of 10 °C temperature and 40% relative air humidity is more efficient in preserving corn seeds' physiological quality than packaging in an uncontrolled environment.